Khutbah

What is the Khutbah?

The khutbah is a formal sermon delivered by an imam or khatib from a raised platform — usually the minbar — at specific occasions in Islam. By far the most familiar are the two khutbahs of Friday, which together with the two-rakah Jumuah prayer replace the regular Dhuhr prayer for those obligated to attend. There are also khutbahs at the two Eids, in the rain prayer (istisqa), the eclipse prayer (kusuf), and at the wuquf of Arafah during Hajj.

The Friday Khutbah in the Quran

Allah says: "O you who have believed, when the call to prayer is made on the day of Jumuah, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew" (Quran 62:9). The "remembrance of Allah" in this verse is understood by the scholars to include both the khutbah and the prayer that follows.

Structure of the Friday Khutbah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would deliver two khutbahs, sitting briefly between them. Each typically opens with praise of Allah, the two testimonies of faith, blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, an exhortation to taqwa, the recitation of verses from the Quran, and a closing supplication. The Prophet ﷺ kept his khutbahs powerful but concise — Jabir ibn Abdullah said: "The Prophet's khutbah was short and his prayer was long" (Muslim 866).

Etiquettes for the Listener

• Attend early, walk calmly, and sit close — the Prophet ﷺ described the merit of those who come first (Bukhari 881, Muslim 850).
• Listen attentively in silence; the Prophet ﷺ said: "If you tell your companion 'Be quiet' on Friday while the imam is delivering the khutbah, you have spoken vainly (lit. lost the merit of the Friday)" (Bukhari 934, Muslim 851).
• Pray two short rakahs (tahiyyat al-masjid) before sitting, even if the khutbah has already started — the Prophet ﷺ commanded a man who entered while the khutbah was being given to do so, but to make them light (Muslim 875).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Friday khutbah obligatory to attend?

Attending the Jumuah congregation, of which the khutbah is part, is an individual obligation on every Muslim adult male who is able. Travellers, the sick, and those with valid excuse are exempt. Women and children may attend; if present they observe the same etiquette.

In what language should the khutbah be?

The opening, the Quran passages, and the supplications are in Arabic; the explanatory and exhortation portions may be delivered in the local language so that the congregation actually benefits. Practice differs between schools and countries.